Nov/Dec 2014 VOL. 46, NO. 10 www.keenagernews.org BRINGING NEWS TO SENIORS SINCE 1969 SENIOR FEATURE Reflections from the Editor Welcome to our first A Little Christmas Surprise combined November/ December issue! Catholic By Megan Fry other people and I knew that was Charities is privileged to be COMMUNICATIONS ASSISTANT what I wanted to do.” able to produce a paper for On December 15, a petite, Sister Mary was based in New seniors that is mailed out to 86-year-old nun will board York, Rhode Island, Kankakee, 95,000 readers. Combining a plane bound for Central then went to South Holland and two issues is a cost-saving America, to celebrate the 50th became the first principal at St. move that will allow us anniversary of a mission that Jude Parish in 1958. She was to continue providing this she helped to found in a poor able to return when the school service for free. mountain village. Sister Mary closed in 2010 saying, “I opened Another way we contain MacIsaac is now retired, but she the doors, and when we closed I costs is through three spent 37 years of her remarkable was the last one out.” fundraising appeals each career in rural Guatemala. But back to Guatemala. In year. You will notice an Sister Mary MacIssac 1964, the nuns were asked envelope in this issue. grew up on the South Side to start a mission there, but Whatever you can give is of Chicago. She attended St. Sister Mary wasn’t interested. so appreciated, and put to Dorothy elementary school. Soon after, she received a letter good use to defray printing, When her father died when she from her Superior General, postage and other bills. If was in 7th grade she transferred Sister Mary as a young nun. and she then knew she was you cannot send money, to St. Louis Academy for Girls, going to Guatemala! Little did please contribute your stories, where she was taught by the them believed her. However, she know she would be there ideas, recipes and prayers! Sisters of the Congregation de Mary’s mother was supportive. nearly 40 years. In fact, we would “love” to Notre Dame. “I want you to go, I got you Perhaps foreshadowing the receive submissions for our Sister Mary decided to through prayer and I want to “gift” her assignment turned out February issue, which will become a nun her senior year of give you back to prayer,” she to be, Sister Mary and her fellow feature “First Love” stories. high school after a retreat. She told Mary. Mary took her final nuns arrived close to Christmas, Please send your stories went to thank the priest and he vows in 1953 and she became on December 23. She did not to: Keenager Love Stories, said to her, “you want to become a sister with the Congregation have a very merry impression of Catholic Charities,721 N. a nun.” It took her a whole year de Notre Dame because, “I was her new home. LaSalle Street, Chicago, to make the decision and when impressed by the nuns, the way IL 60654. Thank you and she told her friends, none of they worked with children and Continued on p. 6 Happy Holidays! SBH November/December 11/1 All Saints Day 12/6 St. Nicholas’ Day 11/2 All Souls Day 12/8 Feast of the Immaculate 11/2 Daylight Savings Conception YOUR COMMENTS Time Ends 12/12 Feast of the Our Lady ARE APPRECIATED 11/11 Veterans Day of Guadalupe E-mail us 11/27 Thanksgiving Day 12/25 Christmas Day [email protected] PAGE 2 SENIOR FAITH Nov/Dec 2014 SENIOR FAITH Leading the Way for Chicago Catholics EDITOR Sheila Black Haennicke By Mary Ellen Kastenholtz in Spanish. The grandchild of VOLUNTEER COMMUNICATIONS ASSISTANT Croatian immigrants, Bishop Megan Fry In this season of Thanksgiving, Cupich appears passionate St. Blaise EDITORIAL BOARD Chicago Catholics give thanks about immigration and seeking Msgr. Michael M. Boland for the 17 years Cardinal reform solutions. Robert Boyd Francis George dedicated to Serving for the past five years February 3 is the Feast Roberta Magurany Anthony Spalla the Church in the city of his on the Board of Governors Day of St. Blaise, also Angela Taylor family origins making him of Catholic Extension, an known as St. Blase, and Kindle Wilfinger the first native Chicagoan organization that supports poor a day for “Blessing of CREATIVE SERVICES Cardinal. Appreciation exists mission dioceses across the the Throats.” Our new BRAND MANAGEMENT also for the extremely rare United States, Bishop Cupich Archbishop, Blase Cupich, Jennifer Sirota situation that Cardinal George understands the ministry of is named after St. Blaise, ART DESIGN is able to pass on his title and bringing the Church to the Kathleen Gabriel so curiosity and interest in blessing to the new Archbishop, people. this saint has risen. Keenager News is a free monthly publication mailed to persons aged Blase Cupich; the first major In the months ahead, St. Blaise was a 55 and older by Catholic Charities American appointment by Pope Chicago Catholics will look to physician in the early 4th of the Archdiocese of Chicago, a non-profit organization. Francis. Grateful for his years see the similarities between Century, A. D. He was EDITORIAL OFFICE of dedication and leadership, the new Archbishop and Pope also Bishop of Sebastea in 721 North LaSalle Street, 2nd Floor prayers for his health and Francis. In an article written Armenia, now known as Chicago, IL 60654-3503 well-being emanate from the on Pope Francis for America Silvas, Turkey. St. Blaise Phone (312) 655-7425 2.2 million Roman Catholic Magazine on September 26, was known as a healer E-MAIL ADDRESS population. 2013 entitled “Francis the of souls and bodies. [email protected] On November 18, the ninth Witness; the pope presents Emperor Licininius began For subscriptions, changes of Archbishop of Chicago will be a fresh vision of the Gospel,” to persecute Christians address, deletions, contributions, questions or comments, please write installed during a Mass at Holy Bishop Cupich described the in Armenia and Saint or call our editorial office, or e-mail Name Cathedral. It will be an powerful effect the Pope has in Blaise was apprehended. the changes to us. Contents may be printed in their entirety with proper exciting event coming just before this way: He is teaching because Legend has it that as he credit given. Catholic Charities is an equal opportunity employer. Advent and Christmas. Bishop he is a witness and being a was being taken back to Copyright 2014 by Catholic Charities Cupich will be able to take in the witness he reveals himself…. Sebastea, a woman whose of the Archdiocese of Chicago. beauty of the holiday lights and We should focus on a person son was choking on a ADVERTISING POLICY decorations in our beautiful city who reveals himself as a fresh fishbone begged him for Advertisements appearing in the Keenager News cannot be construed as he prepares to lead his very witness of the Gospel, who is his intercession and as St. as being an endorsement by large and diverse flock. stirring our hearts to take up Blaise prayed for the child, Keenager News or its members. Advertisers and their agencies The third eldest of eight the journey with him as a fellow the boy was cured. I assume liability for all of the content of advertisements printed and are siblings, Bishop Cupich is disciple with new vigor and Today, for the “Blessing responsible for any claims that known as having a practical purpose. His words and witness of the Throats,” the priest may arise from their advertising. Keenager News reserves the right to outlook and a sense of humor. are an invitation to humbly and says, “May Almighty reject any advertisements it deems He has also been described as actively seek God working in the God at the intercession objectionable. similar to Pope Francis in his world and in the people called of St. Blaise, Bishop and CATHOLIC CHARITIES MISSION Catholic Charities fulfills the humility, and care for the poor. to be God’s own. Martyr, preserve you Church’s role in the mission of charity In Spokane, he is viewed as a As our new Archbishop from infections of the to anyone in need by providing compassionate, competent and moderate who collaborates well begins his journey, we pray for throat and from all other professional services that strengthen with others to find solutions. him as he reveals himself and afflictions.” and support individuals, families and communities based on Knowledgeable in six languages, witnesses the many blessings the value and dignity of human life. he has already addressed our and needs of the Chicago www.catholiccharities.net/keenager one million Hispanic Catholics Archdiocese. www.keenagernews.org Nov/Dec 2014 THE VOICE OF CATHOLIC CHARITIES PAGE 3 Welcome to Chicago Archbishop Cupich! We at Catholic Charities join their lives and have hope for a with Catholics throughout the better future. Archdiocese as we sadly see Just as Catholic Charities our beloved Cardinal George The Voice of brings Christ’s light to our retire, yet joyfully anticipate struggling brothers and the installation of Archbishop- Catholic Charities sisters, in their very presence designate Blase Cupich on Rev. Monsignor they bring Christ to us. We November 18. Michael M. Boland welcome Him in the hungry Over these past several family who receives hot weeks we have learned that President of Catholic Charities meals at our evening supper our new leader is a great program, in the domestic administrator and has violence survivor who finds successfully seen the Diocese safety in our shelter, in the of Spokane through a difficult senior we greet with smiles as time in its history.